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b'I have been traveling around the country presenting\\xa0Nonprofit Leadership Excellence Workshops (http://synervisionfoundation.org/summit/workshop/). In many instances, I\\u2019m asked what to do when a board, or members in general, are resistant to change. The phrase, \\u201cWe\\u2019ve never done it that way before!\\u201d is often repeated.\\nChange is a fearful thought if other changes in life are too stressful. Change is not an option when there is no understanding of the value of the change. Change for the sake of change is a generator of confusion.\\nHowever, the only constant in life is that there is change. We are all getting older every day. We change without even trying.\\nHaving said those things about change, let me point out that understanding history and tradition are important to the continuity of work within any organization. When working with lay leaders in the church, I find that many of them are not aware of the denominational traditions and theology that have shaped our worship, our programs, and our work in the community. We are informed by learning about the past. We don\\u2019t, however, need to live in the past.\\nIt is the leader\\u2019s duty and delight to observe what\\u2019s happening and how it happens, and to respond in a thoughtful way by engaging members in conversation about desired results. Have we defined the desired outcomes from our work and programs, or are we just running on autopilot without thinking about what or why?\\nIn Seth Godin\'s blog post, \\u201cBecause it has always been this way, (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2015/07/because-it-has-always-been-this-way.html)" he points out that making a change means that we are responsible for the results. I\\u2019d like to point out that if we don\\u2019t make a change, we are likewise responsible for the results as the leader.\\nNot making a decision is a choice.\\nLeaders ask good questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are some to ask yourself and your team:\\n\\n* Are we (Am I) bound by tradition?\\n* What are the consequences of staying with the status quo?\\n* What are the different results we desire and what changes will lead us in the appropriate direction?\\n* What are the risks on both sides - making a change and not making any change?\\n\\nSleep on the answers.\\n\\nHugh Ballou\\nThe Transformational Leadership Strategist TM\\nSubscribe to The Transformational Leadership Strategist by Email (http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TheTransformationalStrategist&loc=en_US)\\n\\n(c)\\xa02018 Hugh Ballou. All rights reserved.\\n\\xa0\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'